FROM A MEMBER OF THE BKB¹⁶
22. II. 05.

Dear Comrade,

I am a member of the Russian Bureau of Committees of the Majority of the Russian Social-Democratic Labour Party, who has only just arrived from Russia. In Russia, a printed announcement of this Bureau convening the III Congress of the Russian Social-Democratic Labour Party was issued about a week ago. I enclose herewith a translation* of this announcement for the party leadership of the German Social-Democratic Labour Party. I would be very grateful if this translation were communicated to the entire German party through publication in one of the party organs.

Comrade Lenin passed on to me your letter to him of 3. II. 05 and a copy of his reply to you of 8. II. 05**. As a member of the Bureau, I find that Lenin could not have answered otherwise than he did. Now, when our party's congress takes place in the very near future (I am communicating this to you personally only, since we are compelled to keep the timing of the congress in the strictest secrecy), there now opens up the possibility*** of extraordinarily favorable conditions for the mediation you have proposed to us. I hope you will not refuse to take advantage of this possibility, which, of course, will not present itself again soon.

I consider myself obliged to inform you personally (also in confidence) that the congress will not take place in Russia. You could consequently appear**** at the congress yourself and employ all your great authority to induce all the institutions and organizations of our so-called party minority to appear at the congress as well. Your mediation attempt would thus have the best chances of success.

With social-democratic greetings, NN

I would ask you to reply in two envelopes: on the outside—the address of the *Vperyod* expedition, on the inner envelope—the inscription "To Stepanov for a member of the Bureau NN."

* Over the word "translation" is written: "and original (?)". Ed.

** See present volume, pp. 11-12. Ed.

*** Over the words "opens up the possibility" is written: "conditions are forming." Ed.

**** Over the word "appear" is written: "speak." Ed.

Written in Geneva

First published in 1926
in *Leninskii Sbornik* V

Printed from the manuscript